Elicerent

XXI.

I trekked back toward the settlement, the temperature cooling slightly the further I went down into the caves. I had to go the long way around by returning to the main cavern before heading to the ruins. I had no idea how to get there from the grove. Owen was waiting when I arrived. He leant against one of the half-ruined statues at the entrance. He straightened up when he saw me.

"Etta, I...""

I cut him off before he could continue, "I know. I'm wanted, so I better get in there."

I pushed past him and entered the familiar smell of incense. He did not follow me. The smell hung in the air, hot and dry. Nothing like the caves. The light was dim, but a warm ochre. It appeared that no one was there, until movement in a darkened corner drew in my attention.

"There are some here who would say that you do not belong. What would you say to this?"

I concentrated on the shadowed figure until she stepped closer into the light. Owen's elder.

"I would say that you and the other elders are in charge here and what matters is what you say."

"Hmm... that is not the answer of someone who is free. Are you free Etta Nora?" She shuffled to a seat in front of the fire that glowed shadows upon the walls and gestured for me to sit beside her. I obeyed. She stared at the flames but moved her hand to rest on mine. She squeezed it. All I wanted to do was pull away. We sat together in the warmth in silence. The occasional crack of the fire and shift of the burning wood was all that could be heard. My eyes grew heavy with the radiating warmth, as I wondered how long we had been sitting together. The sudden cooling of my hand alerted me to her movement. She shifted to face me, "We must all make our choices," she whispered.

"Elder?"

She cleared her throat, "My grandchild and Lilian believe that you should have a future here with us, despite what some others say. I say, we all have a choice. And you will have to make one soon Etta Nora." She stood and placed a small log on the fire. She did not turn for a long time, nor did she speak.

When she did, I sat, dumbfounded at her request.

"I would like you to infiltrate the Facility with a small group and steal as many medical supplies as you can," she turned around and stared into my eyes. It was uncomfortable and made me feel uneasy. Then she waved for me to leave, "You will go within the seven-day."

I nodded decisively, "Yes Elder."

Was this the luck that I needed to deliver the maps into the hands of the Minister or was she baiting me deliberately. I could not tell. But it did not matter. Once I was in the Facility, I would be protected and welcomed wholeheartedly by the Minister.

As I made my way toward the exit, something about the old woman's words hung in the forefront of my mind. It wasn't until I saw Owen waiting outside that I remembered he had been waiting for me. He stepped out from the same statue with a half smile. I looked at him and then continued walking. He followed closely behind, breathing heavily, as if he were about to speak, but kept changing his mind.